national language
die Landessprache, die Landessprachen
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national language
The official or predominant language of a country or a particular region.
Obwohl viele Leute Englisch sprechen, ist Spanisch die Landessprache in Argentinien.
Although many people speak English, Spanish is the national language in Argentina.
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Landessprachen |
| genitive | der Landessprache |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Landessprache | die Landessprachen |
| accusative | die Landessprache | die Landessprachen |
| dative | der Landessprache | den Landessprachen |
| genitive | der Landessprache | der Landessprachen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
The word consists of 'Land' (country), in the genitive form 'Landes', and 'Sprache' (language). So it literally means 'the language of the country.'
Bei Reisen ist es immer hilfreich, ein paar Worte in der Landessprache zu kennen.
When traveling, it is always helpful to know a few words in the national language.
A typical sentence structure is: '[Language] ist die Landessprache in [country].' ([Language] is the national language in [country].) or 'Die Landessprache von [country] ist [language].' (The national language of [country] is [language].)
Portugiesisch ist die offizielle Landessprache in Brasilien.
Portuguese is the official national language in Brazil.
Common verbs in this context are 'sprechen' (to speak), 'lernen' (to learn), 'verstehen' (to understand), and 'beherrschen' (to master). The adjective 'offiziell' (official) is also often used.
Er hat die Landessprache in nur einem Jahr gelernt.
He learned the national language in just one year.
official language
Amtssprache specifically refers to a language officially used by authorities, courts, or the administration. Landessprache can also refer to an official language, but it can additionally mean the predominant language in a country or region. Amtssprache is therefore more precise when referring to official administrative status.
Deutsch ist die vorherrschende Landessprache dieses Landes.
German is the predominant national language of this country.
Deutsch ist die Amtssprache der Behörden dieses Landes.
German is the official language used by the authorities in this country.
